Emergency Department Overcrowding in Florida, New York, and Texas

Overview

Journal South Med J

Specialties General Medicine
General Surgery

Date 2002 Aug 23

PMID 12190219

Citations 36

Authors

Robert W Derlet

John R Richards

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: This study was done to determine the incidence, causes, and effects of overcrowding in emergency departments (EDs) in Florida, New York, and Texas.

Methods: Surveys were mailed to a random sample of EDs in Florida, New York, and Texas. Questions included census, area population, frequency and causes of overcrowding, and impact. Causes of overcrowding were ranked on a 5-point scale.

Results: A total of 300 surveys were sent, and 210 (70%) were returned. Overcrowding was reported in 194 EDs (92%): New York (90%), Florida, (92%), and Texas (95%). Causes of ED overcrowding included hospital bed shortage, high medical acuity of patients, increasing patient volume, too few examination spaces, and shortage of RN staff. Overcrowding resulted in death, permanent disability, additional procedures, and increased length of hospitalization.

Conclusion: In this survey of EDs, overcrowding was pervasive. Many factors contribute to ED overcrowding. Poor medical outcomes may occur because of overcrowding.

Citing Articles

Correlation Between Emergency Department Crowding and Adverse Occurrences in an Academic Hospital: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Alassaf W, Albrahim R, Abukhaled J, Aldhaif M, Mohammed M, Al Baiz A Risk Manag Healthc Policy. 2025; 18:561-568.

PMID: 39990614 PMC: 11847434. DOI: 10.2147/RMHP.S504578.

Factors associated with extended length of stay for paediatric mental health presentations to EDs in South Western Sydney, Australia.

Khan J, John J, Middleton P, Huang Y, Lin P, Hu N Emerg Med Australas. 2025; 37(1):e70003.

PMID: 39931925 PMC: 11811920. DOI: 10.1111/1742-6723.70003.

The impact of curfews on emergency departments and orthopedic traumas.

Guran O, Ozdamar I, Bektas E, Ibac S, Gok O Ulus Travma Acil Cerrahi Derg. 2024; 30(1):60-64.

PMID: 38226578 PMC: 10977487. DOI: 10.14744/tjtes.2023.53753.

The association between the workload of emergency physicians and the outcomes of acute myocardial infarction: a population-based study.

Tsai C, Kung P, Wang S, Tsai T, Tsai W Sci Rep. 2023; 13(1):21212.

PMID: 38040727 PMC: 10692142. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48150-0.

Association between prehospital recognition of acute myocardial infarction and length of stay in the emergency department.

Song S, Kim K, Park J, Song K, Shin S Clin Exp Emerg Med. 2022; 9(4):323-332.

PMID: 36111415 PMC: 9834821. DOI: 10.15441/ceem.22.330.